Manufacture of insulating supporting-blocks



A. G. JILLARD AND S. BHACKEN.

CTURE 0F INSULATING SUPPORTING BLOC MANUFA v AFPL"ICAT|0N FILED SEPT. i8, 1919. 1,396,759.

A. G. HLLARD AND S. BHACKEN.

MANUFACTURE OF INSULATING SUPPORTINGl BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I8, I9I9.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. G. JILLARD AND S. BRACKEN. MANUEACTURE 0F rNsULATmG SUPPORTING BLOCKS.

APPLRCATON FILED SEPT- 18, 1919.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921. 3 sHEETs-sHET a. 45 @at 52 WED 89 3 CH] 606/ 75 75 73 74 O zal 0 A /Q 7/ O O O O c) G O Q. O G Q ff 70 70 Y Q/ 5b Z/ \,20

` 520977722719 I. 19722215 G. J1! iam' 44 =I g 56 52W/ej Smc/(Qn 40 53 5450 j r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NNIS G. JILLAILI), OF BERWYN, AND STANLEY BRACKEN, OF CICEBO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 0F NEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MANUFACTURE OF INSULATING SUPPORTING-BLOCKS.

for supporting elements in a thermionic de- Y (.)ne of the objects of this invention has to do with the method of producing theglass blocksby a molding operation in which the supporting wires are securely positioned in the block, thereby insuring a uniform` roduct and one which may be easily an economically produced. 4

In carrying out the method of this invention the wire inserts are first prepared in their ends to give them good anchorage. in

the block and the block is then molded around the ends of the wires thus prepared. The wire inserts are drawn from continuous strands of wires and after the glass block has been molded around the prepared ends the projecting wir'es are cut to the desired length, andthe ends of the strands are prepared for the succeeding block.

Another object of this invention is to provide a'mechanism by means of which this method may be carried on in a practical and economical manner.

A mechanism for prise in general a pair of dies for forming. plastic glass into the desired shape, operating in conjunction with wire feeding, cutting. bending, and block removing mechanism in such a manner that the operation is almost wholly automaticand may be carried on rapidly. v

specicanon of Letters Patent.

this purpose may com- Patented Nov. 15, 1921..

Application led September 18, 1919 Serial No. 324,489.

thereof partly Fig. 4 is a detail view of the forming diesV just after a block has been formed;

Fig. 5' is a detail viewof lthe forming dies in a retracted position after the block has beei formed and the associated parts operate Fig. 6 is an enlarged end elevation of the completed block, and

Fig. 7 is a bottom view thereof.

As shown in the drawings, l() is a supporting frame for the dies and tools. Extending upward from a base 11 of the frame 10 is a standard 12 which is equipped with bearing bosses 13 and 14 and in which rides a sleeve 15. Suitably pivoted to the sleeve 15 at a point 16 intermediate its ends is a lever 17. The lever 17 is suitably pivoted to the standard 12 at a point 18 thereon and is provided with a handle portion 19. The sleeve 15 at its lower end has suitably se cured thereto a die 2() which forms the upper and movable part of a block forming die. A lower and stationary punch 21 of the block forming die is suitablyT secured to the base 11. Mounted in the lower end of thesleeve 15 is a slidable sleeve 25 equipped with an external shoulder 26 near its lower end. Mounted around the sleeve 25 and between the shoulder 26 thereon and an internal shoulder 27 on the sleeve 15 is a compression spring 28. Screw threaded into the lower end of the sleeve 25 is a cap 29 which has suitably secured thereto a pad 30. Movement downward of the sleeve 15 carrying the die 2O is limited by an adjustable stop rod located centrally with respect to the sleeves 15 and 25. The stop rod 33 is screw threaded at its upper end for the reception of adjusting nuts 34, 34 which rest on the top surface of a supporting to the upper boss 13. The lower end of the stop rod 33 passes through a cap 36 screw threaded into the upper end of the sleeve 25 plate 35 secured and is equipped with a head 37 at its lower end. When the handle 19 is moved in an 21 upward direction the sleeve will be moved down and, through the spring 28 between the shoulders on sleeves 15 sleeve 25 to be moved down. The downward'movement of the sleeve 15 and consequently of the die 20 is surface of the cap 36 coming into engagement with the head 37 on the stop rod 33.

The downward movement of the die 20 is adjusted 'to` permit a slight relative movement othe pad 30 and die 20 when forming a bloclr,. This occursY when the downward movement, -of the sleeve 25 brings the head 37 of rod l33 into engagement with the cap 36 on the sleeve 25, thereby causing the sleeve 15 to move relative to the sleeve 25 and permitting also a movementof the die 2O relative to the .pad 30. The sleeve 15 is cutaway at its upper end as indicated at 39 to allow for its movement relative to the supporting plate 35 which supports the stop rod 33.

Mounted from thebase 11 and extending downwardly from a shouldered opening therein is a sleeve 40 provided with a flange 41 suitably secured in an opening in the base 11. A part 42 ofthe sleeve 40 which projects above the Hange 41 has suitably secured thereto the punch 21 of the'block forming die. Screw threaded into and sultably secured in the lower end of the sleeve 40 is a sleeve 43. Normally resting on the sleeve 43 is a slidable sleeve 44 which acts as a wire carrier and is raised and lowered by operating a lever 45 whichis pivoted to the base 11 at a point 46 and is operatively connected, to the sleeve 44 by a suitable collar 47 and a pin 48. Secured within the sleeve 44 by la` set screw 49 is a sleeve 50. Secured in the upper en d of the sleeve .50 and depending therefrom are three wire guide tubes 53-53 through which three wires 54-54 to be embedded in the block are guided from a supply source below the machine. The upper end 'of -the sleeve 44 is closed except for an opening 56 which iscut therein to one side of the center and in which are suitably pivoted three wire gripping fingers 57-57 which are 1n engagement` with the three wires 54-54. (See Figs. 4 and 5.) Each finger 57 -is ac ted upon by a leaf pring 58 which causes the linger to press t e wire 54 against the wall of the opening in the upper end of the sleeve or carrier 44 when the carrier is moved up. When the handle of the lever 45 will be moved up,` and through the action of the fingers 57 the wires 54 "vill be gripped it. and 25, will cause the` Y arrested by the lower alwaysl 1s operated downward the wire carrier 44 and moved up through required distance. The movement upward of the wire carrier 44 is Alimited by a stop pin 59 secured in the carrier 44 coming into contact with the lower side of the punch On moving` the wire carrier 44 downwardv the wires 54 will not be moved with This is due to the mounting of the iingers 57 and the springs 58 which acts to grip the wires only on an upward movement of the carrier 44, and also partly due to the formed ends of the wires resting against the top surface of the punch 21.

A suitable opening is formed in the sleeve 40 to allow for the movement of the collar 47 which is secured to the carrier 44.

Secured to a vertical wall 60 of the standard 12 are slide plates 63and 64. The plates 63 and 64 have suitably mounted thereon wire clipping and forming dies 65 and 66. For op erating the clipping and forming dies 65 and 66 there age provided levers 67 and 68 which are suitably pivoted to the ,base 11. The levers'67 and 68 are returned to their normal position after being operated and released by suitably mounted springs '70. Connecting he levers 67 and 68 with the plates 63 and 64 are links 71 and 72. The movement inward of the levers 67 and 68 and consequently the dies 65 ar-d 66 is adjusted by regulating stop screws 73 and 74 suita ly secured on the levers 67 and 68. When the levers 67 and 68 are moved inward the stop screws 73 and 74 engage connecting strips 75 which connect the guide rails 61 and 62. The die 65 is provided with a cutting edge 76 and a forming tongue 77 and the die 66 is provided with a cuttlng edge 78 and afornling depression 79 which arebest shown in Fig. 5. When operating the levers 67 and 68 the operator will move the lever 67 a little in advance of the lever 68 so as to bring the die 65 into contact with the wires 54 a little -in advance of the die 66 to facilitate the cutting and forming of the wires. When the dies come together the wires are first clipped or cut and the end from the supply source follows the cutting edge 78 of the die 66 and is bent over under the cutting edge 76 of the die 65. The forming tongue 77 now forms the wires in the forming depression 79 which gives them a U- shaped end. After the wires are clipped and formed the levers 67 and 68 return to their normal position under the action ot the springs 70.

' On a plane just above the dies 65 and 66 and operating at right angles to their movethe punch 21 the ment 1s a mechanism for removing the finu iiat surfaces 86 thereon will grip the wires.

The lingers 83 in moving" toward the block to be removed pass through an opening 88 in a stripping plate 89 which is secured to the standard 12. On the return of the. fingers 88 with the wiresiof the block therebetween the block Will come into Contact with the plate 89 directly above the opening 88 there- 1n and on the continued movement of the lingers the iinished part will be brushed from.

between the lingers`83 and dropped into a suitable fiber chute 90.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the mechanism is shown in its normal position or just after completing a block 91 and with the wires for the next block in their proper position and their ends properly formed. Starting at this position the method of producing the blocks by this mechanism is as follows: An operator takes a stick of glass the end of which is in a molten state and places it over the U-shaped ends of the wires 54 projecting just above the stationarT punchA 21 of the block forming die. A second operator will immediately cause the movable die 2() of the block formingdie to move down bymoving the handle 19 of the lever 17 upward. This will bring the die 20 into the position shown in Fig. 4 with the glass formed around the U-shaped ends of the wires 54. The die 20 is now returned to its normal position and at the sa-me time the wire carrier 44 is moved upward by -pressing down on the handle of the lever 45, thereby moving the carrier upward until the stop Y pin 59 comes into contact with the bottom of the punch 20, as best shown in Fig. 5. This operation raises the block 91 from the top of the punch 21 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The gripping fingers are now moved out to grip the wires 54 below the block by sliding` the handle or the tube 82 on the rod 81, as shown in dotted lines in Figll. lAfter thefingers 83 have gripped the wires the clipping and forming dies 65 and 66 are operated by moving the levers 67 and 68 toward eachother about their pivots. At the end of their movement inward the dies 65 `and 66 have cut the wires and formed the ends from the sup ly source for the next block to be formed. -his position is clearly shown in Fig. 5. The dies 65 and G6 are now-allowed tol return to their normal osition under the action ot the springs l() which act on the levers 67 and (38. The finished4 part is now held by the lingers 83. The wire carrier 44 is now moved down to its normal position as shown in Fig.

1 and the lingers 83 are moved baclr carrying the finished part which. will be removed from between the tingers when the bioclr 91 comes into contact with the plate 89 and will fall into the liber chute 90 and'then into a suitable receptacle. rl`he mechanism is now in its normal position and .ready to tormanother block.

lVhat is claimed is :f

l. The method of forming' supporting blocks of the class described, which consists in preparing the ends ol' the wires with anchorage portions and molding a glass block around the ends oi the wires so prepared. v

2. The' method of forming supporting blocks of, the class described, which consists in preparing the ends of wires-by bending them into hooks and molding a glass bloclr around the hooked, ends of the wires..

3. |The method of forming supporting blocks of the class described, which consists in prepa-ring the ends of continuous strands of wires with anchorage portions, molding a glass block around the ends so prepared, eutting the wires projecting from the block to the proper length, and preparing' the severed ends of ,the continuous strands lor another glass bl'oclr.

l4. ln a mechanism for' producing glass blocks with wire inserts, a pair of relatively movable dies between which 'the block is 'formed from plastic glass., means lor operating said dies in a. direction parallel to the length of the wire inserts, and means associated with one ot the dies for holding the wiresY in position to have the glass molded around the ends thereof.

5. In a mechanism for producing glass blocks with metallic inserts therein, a pair of `relatively movable diesbetween which plastic glass is molded. to form the block, means for o rating said dies in a direction parallel to t e direction of movementof the metallic inserts, means associated with one of said dies for holding the metallic inserts in position to have the glass molded'around the ends thereof, and means to feed the metallic inserts into position.

6. In a mechanism for producing glass blocks with wire inserts therein, a pair of dies between which plastic glass is molded to form the block, means 4for operating one o'r' said dies, means associated with one of said dies for guiding the wires into position to have the glass molded around the ends thereof, and means to feed the wires into position through one of said dies from, a suppliy source.

n a mechanism for producing glass blocks with wire inserts, a air of relatively movable dies between which the block is formed from plastic glass, means for operating said dies in a direction parallel to the length of the wire inserts, "means for guiding and feeding vthe ends of continuous strands of Wires into position to have the glass molded around them, and means for cutting the wires below the formed block.

8. In a mechanism for producing glass blocks with wire inserts, a pair of relatively movable dies between which the block is formed from plastic glass, means for operating said dies, means for guiding and feeding formed ends of continuous strands of wires into position to have theglass molded around the formed ends, and means for cutting the wires below the formed block and for shaping the ends of the continuous strands of wire to be anchored in the succeeding block.

9. In a mechanismfor producing glass blocks with wire inserts,- a pair of relatively movable dies between which the block is formed from plastic glass, means for operating said dies, means for guiding and feeding the ends of continuous strands of wires into position to havey the glass molded around the ends thereof, means for cutting the wires below the formed blocks, and means for removing the finished block from between said dies.

10. In a mechanism for producing glass blocks with wire inserts, a pair of relatively movable dies between ywhich the block is formed'from plastic glass, means for operating said dies,- means for guiding and feeding the ends of continuous strands of wires into position to have the glass molded around the ends thereof, means for cutting the wires below the formed block, and means for gripping. the wires below the formed block while they are being out and thereafter to remove the block and wire inserts from over the die.

11. In a mechanism for producing glass blocks with wire inserts, a pair ofrelatively movable dies between which the block is formed from plastic glass,- means for operating the dies in adirection parallel to the length of the wire inserts, wire feeding mechanism comprising a reciprocating member and wire grippinongers adapted to grip and feed the enls of continuous strands of wires into position to be molded into the block, and means for reciprocating the wire feeding mechanism.

12. In a mechansim for producing glass blocks with wire inserts therein, a pair of relatively movable dies between which the block is formedfrom plastic glass, insert wires formed from continuous strands of wire, means for guiding and feeding the ends of the wire strands into position to have the glass molded around formed ends thereof, `Wire guiding and shaping mechanism comprising relatively movable dies adapted to cut the wires and shape the ends of the continuons strands of wire to be anchored' in the succeeding block, and means for operating Saidcutting and forming dies.

In a mechanism for producing glass blocks with wire inserts, a pair of relatively movable dies between which the block is formed from plastic glass, means for operating said dies, and means for removing the formed block from over the die, said means comprising a reciprocating member provided with gripping means adapted to grip the wires below the formed block, and a container into which the formed block is deposited by said gripping means.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names this 2nd day of September, A. D. 1919.

ANN IS G. JILLARD. STANLEY BRACKEN. 

